Chad Hugo, co-founder of the Neptunes, has released his debut single, “Jumpupw!nya,” an upbeat track featuring rappers Tierra Whack and Leikeli47. “For those that don’t know, I’m from Brooklyn by way of Virginia; so when Chad called, I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate,” Leikeli said in a statement. “Love to the amazing Tierra Whack. I’m just happy to play my part.” The song comes with futuristic visuals replete with spaceship control panels, hazmat suits, and apocalyptic collapse. Watch it below.
Hugo is currently in the midst of a legal battle with his former partner Pharrell Williams. Hugo’s lawyers allege Williams owes their client up to $1 million from work their final album as N.E.R.D., 2017’s No One Ever Really Dies. In 2024, Hugo was engaged in a separate lawsuit with Williams over the ownership of the Neptunes trademark.
While Hugo hasn’t put out solo music before “Jumpupw!nya,” in recent years he’s produced songs for Ye, Ty Dolla $ign, Brockhampton, and Brent Faiyaz.
